General Guidelines for the Estimation of Committed Dose from Incorporation Monitoring Data - IDEAS, Executive Summary

Abstract

Doses from intakes of radionuclides cannot be measured but must be assessed from monitoring, such as whole body counting or urinary excretion measurements. Such assessments require application of a model and estimation of the exposure time, material properties, etc. The aim of the project was to develop guidelines to standardise assessments of internal doses, based on research into the assumptions made, and developed by a group of experts in consultation with potential users.To ensure that the guidelines are applicable to a wide range of practical situations, a database was compiled of cases of internal contamination that include monitoring data suitable for assessment. It contains information on over 200 cases, and more are being added, because it provides a valuable training resource.In parallel, improved algorithms (mathematical methods) for assessing intakes and doses from bioassay data were developed and incorporated in existing software IMIE (Individual Monitoring of the Internal Exposure). A special version of IMIE was developed and distributed to the partners. A version of the IMBA Expert program (Integrated Modules for Bioassay Analysis) was also provided for use in the project.